Cleaning Burnt Brownie Messes From Glass Pans

Removing brownies from a glass pan can be tricky, and the process is different from removing brownies from a metal or non-stick pan. Glass pans are not recommended for brownies because even when greased, the brownies can still be difficult to remove. To remove brownies from a glass pan, it is best to let the brownies cool and rest in the pan for at least an hour before attempting to cut them into pieces. If the brownies are still stuck, you can try heating the pan lightly. This will help to melt the butter or grease used to coat the pan, making it easier to release the brownies.

Use the right pan

Using the right pan is crucial for successfully removing brownies and preventing them from sticking. The type of pan you use will significantly impact the texture and stickiness of your brownies. Here are some tips to help you choose the right pan for baking brownies:

Pan Material

Non-stick and metal pans are the best options for baking brownies. They produce less sticky brownies, making them easier to remove from the pan. Metal pans, especially aluminium ones, distribute heat evenly, ensuring the centre of the brownie bakes at the same rate as the edges, reducing the risk of sticking. Metal pans also tend to yield crisp edges and soft, chewy centres.

If you're using a non-stick pan, it's still a good idea to grease the bottom and sides to ensure the brownies don't stick. You can use butter, shortening, or a baking spray for greasing.

Glass pans are less ideal for brownies as they tend to result in drier and cakier brownies. However, if you prefer cake-like brownies, a glass pan can be a good choice. Just make sure to grease and flour the pan generously. Additionally, allow the brownies to cool and rest in the pan for at least an hour before attempting to cut or remove them.

Ceramic pans are another option, but they are not as common as metal or glass. Ceramic takes longer to heat up than metal but also stays hot longer, so you can bring the pan straight to the dining table to serve warm brownies. Ceramic pans are effectively non-stick, but they may not be the best choice if you're looking for crunchy edges on your brownies. You may also need to add a few minutes to the baking time when using a ceramic pan.

Pan Size

Brownie recipes typically call for an 8 or 9-inch pan. Using a bigger pan will cause the batter to spread out and bake too quickly, resulting in overbaked brownies that are more likely to stick. On the other hand, a smaller pan will lead to underbaked brownies that will stick to the bottom. Therefore, it's essential to use the right size pan to ensure even baking and prevent sticking.

Grease the pan

Glass pans are less ideal for baking brownies, and the brownies will likely turn out drier and more cake-like. However, you can grease and flour the glass pan really well to prevent the brownies from sticking.

First, use a pastry brush or paper towel to grease the entire pan with butter, shortening, or baking spray, making sure to get into all four corners. Next, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of flour and shake to thoroughly coat the pan. Turn over the pan and shake out the excess flour.

If you want to be extra sure that your brownies won't stick, you can also line the greased pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Cut the parchment paper or foil so that it's large enough to line the sides of the pan, with enough hanging over the edges so that the brownie cake is easy to lift out of the pan.

After baking, let the brownies cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove them by pulling up on the sides of the parchment paper or foil. If you didn't use a liner, work a rubber spatula gently around the edges of the brownies, then flip the brownies upside down onto a plate.

Heat the pan

If your brownies are stuck to the pan, heating the pan is a good way to release them. This method works in two ways. Firstly, if you forgot to grease the pan before baking, heating the pan will release the brownie's butters and oils, making it easier to remove the brownies in one piece. Secondly, if you did grease the pan, the low heat will melt the grease, which may have solidified during the cooling process, allowing the brownies to come loose.

To heat the pan, turn on one of your stove burners to low heat and carefully place the brownie pan on top of it for a minute or so. This will help the grease melt, and the brownie cake will come off easily.

If you are using a glass pan, it is best to let the brownies cool and rest in the pan for at least an hour before attempting to remove them. Glass pans are less ideal for brownies, and even when greased and floured, the brownies can still be difficult to remove.

If you are using a metal pan, it is important to grease it beforehand. Metal pans are a good option for baking brownies as they produce less stickiness, but you should still grease the pan to ensure the brownies don't stick.

If your brownies are heavier than normal, perhaps because you have added extra ingredients such as fruits, marshmallows, or large chunks of chocolate, then it is best to line the pan with aluminium foil rather than parchment paper. Aluminium foil is stronger and will provide better support for heavier brownies.

If you have used parchment paper or aluminium foil to line the pan, the cooling process is different. Leave the brownies to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then lift them out using the paper or foil and place them on a wire rack to cool for a further 20 minutes. This will prevent the brownies from sticking to the paper, foil, or pan.

Use parchment paper

Using parchment paper is a great way to ensure your brownies don't stick to the pan and burn. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use parchment paper to prevent brownie disasters:

Firstly, cut your parchment paper so that it is large enough to line the sides of your glass pan, with a little extra hanging over the edges. This will make it easier to lift the brownies out of the pan once they are baked. It is a good idea to cut two strips of parchment paper, one for the width and one for the length of your pan, with a little overhang on each side. This will make it easier to remove your brownies in one piece.

Before lining your pan with parchment paper, prepare the pan by greasing the bottom and sides with butter, shortening, or baking spray. You can use a pastry brush or paper towel to ensure the entire pan is greased, getting into all the corners. Then, add a tablespoon of flour and shake to coat the pan. Turn the pan over and shake out any excess flour.

Now, take your parchment paper and line the pan, pressing the paper into the corners. You can use kitchen or binder clips to hold the paper in place, but remember to remove them before putting the pan in the oven! Pour your batter into the pan and spread it evenly.

After baking, let the brownies cool in the pan for about 10- 15 minutes. Then, gently pull up on the sides of the parchment paper to lift the brownies out of the pan. Place the brownies on a wire rack to cool completely before removing the parchment paper.

Using parchment paper is a simple and effective way to prevent your brownies from sticking to the pan. It makes removing your brownies a breeze and ensures your dessert looks neat and presentable.

Cool before removing

If you've baked your brownies in a glass pan, it's best to let them cool and rest in the pan for at least an hour before attempting to cut them into pieces. This is because brownies baked in a glass pan are usually a little drier and more cake-like, and are therefore more prone to sticking to the pan.

To help prevent sticking, you can grease the glass pan with butter, shortening, or baking spray before baking. You can also flour the pan, or dust it with sweetened cocoa powder. If you want to be extra careful, you can line the pan with parchment paper or aluminium foil, leaving some overhang so that you can easily lift the brownies out of the pan after they've cooled.

If you didn't use a liner and your brownies are still stuck, try heating the pan on a stovetop burner on low heat for about a minute. This will melt the butter or shortening you used to grease the pan, helping to release the brownies. Then, use a rubber spatula or knife to gently remove them.

Frequently asked questions